NEBRASKA TEACHER WINS
DISTINGUISHED EDUCATOR
OF BLIND CHILDREN AWARD

Editor's Note: The following report is reprinted
from the October, 1989, Braille Monitor.

At the banquet Saturday evening Dr. Jernigan
called Sharon Maneki, President of the NFB of
Maryland and Chairman of the committee
making this year's selection, to make the presentation.
She said:

"It is most appropriate that we in the National
Federation of the Blind recognize a distinguished
educator of blind children. The blind
children of this nation belong to us. Their future
is of prime importance. Tonight we honor Mrs.
Kim Bosshart, a vision teacher in the public
schools of Fremont, Nebraska.

"Kim Bosshart is a person who is changing what
it means to be blind for the children of Nebraska.
She is a model for the teachers of the entire
nation. Tonight we present Kim Bosshart with a
$500 check and with a plaque that symbolizes our
confidence and support. The plaque reads:

National Federation of the Blind honors Kim Bosshart,
Distinguished Educator of Blind Children,
for her skill in teaching Braille and the use of the
white cane, for generously devoting extra time to
meet the needs of her students, and for inspiring her
students to perform beyond their expectations.
"Congratulations, Kim."
Kim Bosshart responded:

"Thinking back on my first year teaching blind
children, I remember sometimes feeling very
angry and frustrated with teachers and parents.
Of course, he can use the stairs; he doesn't need
to use the elevator. Yes, she can participate in P.
E. [Physical Education] and Home Economics. It
just seemed so logical to me. Expect from these
blind children what you would from any other
child. But it didn't always happen. Then the
realization came to me that this was not entirely
their fault. I needed to take a leadership role to
help educate them about the abilities of blind
people. It was at that point that I began to develop
a more community-based program which culminated
in my selection as the 1989 Distinguished
Educator of Blind Children.

"I am extremely grateful for this award, and I
know that it will serve as an inspiration for me to
continue to improve the quality of education that
I provide to blind children. Since you bestowed
this honor on me, I would like to share with you
quickly my approach to the education of blind
children. It's based on the mission statement of
the Fremont, Nebraska, Public Schools, which
reads as follows:

'"The mission of Fremont Public Schools is to
produce creative, adaptable, productive, self-sufficient
citizens, who are committed to lifelong
learning and capable of effecting responsible
change, by providing a quality education that is
designed to meet the needs of individual students.'

"How
will these needs be met? Well, after having
been at this convention all week, I can list three
areas in my curriculum that will definitely continue
to remain strong. First, it will be imperative
to continue having realistic but very high expectations,
not only from the students I teach, but
also from their parents, the school staff, and the
community in general. Second, I will continue to
seek out competent blind adults to be role
models for the students I work with and sources
of valuable information in the schools and community.
And third, a well-rounded curriculum
will continue to be offered; very specifically but

Kim Bosshart (center) accepts the "Distinguished
Teacher of Blind Children Award" from Sharon Maneki
and President Marc Maurer.

not inclusively this will include Braille reading,
beginning with toddler youngsters; Braille writing,
using a slate and stylus first and then the
Braille writer; and also, with support of the services
in Nebraska, continuation of early cane
travel for students.

"The end objective will be for the students to
have a sense of self-esteem and dignity that will
inspire their own motivation to achieve. So with
combined effort of all people who work with
blind children, we will ensure that every child is
provided the very best education possible, and we
must all work together to help produce creative,
adaptable, productive, self-sufficient citizens of
the future. Thank you."